Attack retaliation to abduction of 4 PoK men in July?

Tuesday’s killing of five Indian soldiers by Pakistani troops in Poonch sector of J&K may an act of retaliation against alleged abduction of four PoK residents from the LoC in Neelum Valley on July 28 by Indian troops, a section of Indian establishment believes.

Indian Army officials, however, denied any knowledge of the alleged abduction near Neelum Valley. This section also linked killing of four unidentified infiltrators by Indian Army in Machhil sector on July 29-30 to ambush.

No identifications have been made or recoveries shown to the police in relation with the incident to date.

“I am not linking any incident to what has happened today. All I want to say is this action is a likely consequence of frustrations of the terrorist tanzeeems and Pak Army due to successful elimination of 19 hardcore terrorists in the months of July and August,” Colonel Rajesh Kalia, Army spokesperson (Northern Command) told HT.

On August 4, a news item published by The Express Tribune with the International Herald Tribune stated that Zafar Ghulam Sarvar, Shazaman, Wajid Akbar and Mohammed Faisal, all hailing from PoK, were abducted by Indian armed forces after crossing the LoC in Neelum Valley on July 28.

The news report also said that Pakistan trooper Asim Iqbal had also been killed in unprovoked firing in Rawalkot sector the last week of July.

On Tuesday, a mixed patrol led by a 14 Maratha Li subedar was acquainting the five 21 Bihar troops about possible ambush points between the fence and LoC in Poonch sector.

The exercise was part of relieving of duty by 21 Bihar taking over from Maratha Li.

The early morning attack that killed the subedar and four troops came at the handing over period considered to be most vulnerable for new troopers. One 21 Bihar trooper was injured and is currently being debriefed by senior officials.

Top government sources said even though the Poonch sector incident may have been retaliation, LoC has been active since the killing of two Indian soldiers and beheading of one in Krishnaghati sector January 2013.